Considering a Friend for Tumbles :)

Awwww.... Callie

While there's never any guarantees, I'd say it sounds like a good idea. Normally I'd say add a male. In my experience they're more social. .... but Hannah did have a sister and isn't in love with Tumbles - so maybe just go searching for a kitty that's the right age and personality, and when the right one adopts you, let "fate" decide whether it's male or female?

FYI, our Spooky takes six months to accept a new kitty, and a full year to... "not be bothered" that the "new" cat is still here. If the dynamic was as you describe, and she had a playful little brother, I don't think more time would help. I think it'd be best for "annoying little brother" to have someone else on which to direct his attention.

Of course I think it's a good idea. From what I saw of Tumbles, he is very social with "those of his kind." He immediately sought out and rubbed on every cat he could get close to in the cattery at my neighbor's.

I think a cat of either sex, and one about his age, would be a great idea. I seem to be partial to boys, myself, as I find they are less "prissy" and "slap happy" than the females.

Please let me know if you're interested in a kitty from either of my 2 "sources." I can deliver from one, and my friend Paul can deliver as well as he lives in Ft Worth (but the kitties are less than a mile from me!). He just had 3 socialized kittens spayed/neutered/vaxed on Monday so they are ready to go: Brown Betty, Buddy Boy and Goldie. LOL

Of course I'd love it if you came here to choose as well. We could have lunch and you could meet my crew!!!

This could be a VERY exciting time!!!!

Good luck with the pushover....oh, I mean "the hub."

C

This just makes me think about Natalie_ca and her decision to adopt 2 kittens instead of one, in hopes they would keep each other occupied and not drive Abby crazy. Reading her posts, it seems that was the right thing to do! So I'd say start looking for a playmate for Tumbles, and probably don't worry too much about male or female, check out personalities, like others said. Good luck!

Holly is over a year old, and is a pain in the neck to Sneaky. She wants Sneaky to play, and Sneaky, being 10 years old is over it.

Sneaky's just now gotten over the whole hissing at everything that moved stage. And she's done that for a year now. She accepts Holly, but really doesn't want to play with her at all.

We were thinking about a playmate. Then we wound up with Jasper a week ago So far all Holly does is hiss at him. But she's really interested in him, and he's interested in her. But he's 10 too, so I don't know if they'll wind up being playmates or just housemates.

If I'd had it to do over again- I think I might have gone with either a kitten- or a cat that was around Holly's age. I don't think gender really matters, I think it's a moot point once they're either spayed or neutered (Jasper's neutered BTW.)

But we didn't have that choice- my neighbor inherited a cat that she was allergic to and just needed it out of her house..............

Cheryl

If you wanted to experiment, I could lend you Flambé. He's an inexhaustible player and gladly wrestles with much larger cats. He's on the small side, only about 8 pounds. He's technically a foster and available for adoption. Already neutered and vaccinated. What a deal!

I think it's a great idea!!

I don't know what Spencer and Katie would do without each other. They're always running and chasing and jumping on each other.

OMG!!!! And he is fantastic! I am telling you! He jumped in my bag and was ready to come home with me! The most sociable cat EVER! He is a hoot! But Mike, I have a feeling you are going to miss that lil' man! He is too cute for words! What great kitty!

I think that's a great idea!!!
We got Hobbes a few weeks ago and sure it was a little stressful initially (mostly since we were not only new to multiple cats but new to cats on the whole), it seems so worth it when they play and cuddle. There are fights and bullying but I feel this way they can be more "kittens" than they would have been if they were singletons or not with someone around the same age.

Flambe is not an Alpha... At least I didn't get that impression at all... He is a Clown of a kitty! You'd fall in love! I suspect the kitties too......

Sounds like Mike knows Flambe pretty well.

Seriously - I think "catsitting for a foster kitty" is a GREAT way to get a new kitty in the door!

I definitely think a playmate for Tumbles is a good idea, if you think the two residents would accept a new housemate.

Try looking at fostered kitties (like Flambe), either foster based groups or groups that put "surplus" cats into foster care - then you can get a better idea of purrsonality.

I think it's a good idea to give it a try, only try to get 1 close to Tumbles age. You already know how it went for me, due to the 3 of them being different ages and stages of life.

If you go to a shelter, ask them for some suggestions. For example, from what I know of Sheba, which we adopted for my brother, I knew she would be a great addition to a multi-cat household. And so she has turned out. Not a mean bone in her body, loves to play, but can stand being ignored.

Yes, I would miss Flambe...but he IS a foster, and as long as we have him, we're limited on who else we can help.

He's a pill and half, as Carolina said.

I think it's a great plan

Here he is

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Flambe

While those photos are several months old, he looks the same. He is a small cat, with delicate features.

Here he is, on top of my desk.



Of course, I think you should check close to you to be sure there isn't anyone who desparately needs to get rid of a cat/kitten.

Flambe is gorgeous! I bet Tumbles would love him! LOL

Flambe is such a beautiful cat! He's a pretty color

I think it's a great idea!

We're rather sorry now that we didn't take one of Mollipop's brothers at the same time she came home. I think there are times when she gets bored, too, and nobody really wants to play with her. Amber did for awhile, but Molli is very territorial with her toys and doesn't like sharing. She chases Amber around the house and Amber will chase her, but Amber really likes to nap. And Molli is too young to spend her time sleeping.

If it weren't that we would then have seven cats (and six has always been our limit), we would probably try to find Mollipop a playmate, too.

By all means, try it out.

Of course I say, do it!!!! So many cats need a great home like you would offer. How exciting

That's to bad that it didn't work out. Keep trying, since he was already adopted it wasn't meant to be, which means there's still a kitty out there your meant to find, you just haven't found them yet

I'll look through our "inventory" at the shelter in a few minutes. We have had one little guy named Bentley who was both a cuddler and a player.

I try to test the kitties for how they get along with other cats. If I hold them up to a bunch of different cages and get nothing but purrs, I can be pretty sure they're laid-back about other cats.

Also, I trim the claws on all the cats I can. That can tell you a lot about them.

I'm coming into this thread late, but I wanted to say that I think adding another cat would be wonderful for Tumbles and, likely, for Hannah as well. I think ensuring that the adoption agency, shelter, or foster home has information about the cat you decide to bring home is key to starting off introductions on the right foot. Not all cats are ideal playmates for an active kitty. And, not all cats will appreciate a cuddle from you or one of their new siblings. I think the way you're going about this is a positive one. And, I, for one, don't think your husband will be much of an issue when the time comes -- remember how his begrudging self was with Tumbles? I seem to remember many a picture of him cuddling with Tumbles . I'm just saying...he's a bit of a softie (as well as a wonderfully loving kitty daddy).

There are times that I wish I had adopted another kitty after taking in Finnegan. Even though my girls were (and still are) young when I brought him home, his personality is such that he is always getting on their nerves. He is an active kitty who always wants to play. And, then, when he's finally tired, he wants to be on top of another kitty. Or, well, anything warm -- humans will do as well. Emory plays with him quite a bit and will snuggle with him, but he tires her out and she gets annoyed with him. Cassidy is much the same. And, Delaney wants nothing to do with him. But, for me, another cat is not an option right now. But, that's why I think it is a good idea for those who can financially and emotionally support an addition. And, it sounds like you most certainly fall into that category.

Good luck with the search. And, I hope your husband comes around and agrees that Tumbles needs a friend. It's a shame the kitten you had your eyes set on was unavailable, but that just means there is another cat or kitten who is waiting for you when (and if) you're ready...

Ooooo, how exciting all the way around! LOVE Mark's concern about a new kitty meaning you have to replace your truck! Nothing like potentially adopting a new kitty to get things like replacing a vehicle in gear!